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10-12-2006, 07:34 PM
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#1
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DGR,IABD
Trade:
Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,665
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Please don't do this....
Was working on a job today... old house that was obviously re-wired by a DIY. A person bought it, and wanted me to "look it over" before they moved the furniture in. That naturally involves lots of time, taking every box apart and examining things. In this one bedroom, things just weren't adding up. I knew that there had to be a buried junction box someplace. Got the ol' wire tracing equipment out, and went for broke. With permission of the new owner, I excavated the drywall and found the buried treasure. Please don't bury junction boxes.... it's a code violation.
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10-12-2006, 07:44 PM
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#2
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Insert title
Trade:
Doors-Windows-Decks
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MA&RI
Posts: 4,556
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Damn, I didn't think anyone would ever find it.
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10-12-2006, 07:58 PM
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#3
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Electrical Contractor
Trade:
Electrical
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NY State
Posts: 1,952
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But I made sure the splice was reeeeeally safe. 
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10-12-2006, 08:01 PM
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#4
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MODERATOR
Trade:
Paperhanger/Painter
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 6,317
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Have the client call me so I can get over there to patch the drywall and touch-up the faux. 
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10-12-2006, 08:36 PM
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#5
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DGR,IABD
Trade:
Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,665
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ProWallGuy
Have the client call me so I can get over there to patch the drywall and touch-up the faux. |
Actually, I did "fix" it, but I forgot to take a pic. I'll be in this house for days, so I'll snap one and post it later. You'll love it.
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10-13-2006, 08:05 AM
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#6
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Pro
Trade:
underground
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,045
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdshunk
...don't bury junction boxes.... it's a code violation.
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You and the "code" thing all the time - sheesh! Next thing you know I'll be hearing how you shouldn't use duct tape to fasten romex to metal studs (so it doesn't chafe against the edge of the pre-stamped openings).
__________________
Quote:
That's the way that the world goes 'round, you're up one day and the next you're down.
It's a half an inch of water and you think you're gonna drown, that's the way that the world goes 'round.
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10-13-2006, 04:00 PM
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#7
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DGR,IABD
Trade:
Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,665
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PipeGuy
Next thing you know I'll be hearing how you shouldn't use duct tape to fasten romex to metal studs (so it doesn't chafe against the edge of the pre-stamped openings).
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Actually, that would be code compliant. The method to support and secure Romex cable is not required to be listed by a nationally recognized testing labratory.
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10-13-2006, 04:02 PM
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#8
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DGR,IABD
Trade:
Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,665
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Here's a picture of the "fixed" hole I had to make:
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10-13-2006, 04:38 PM
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#9
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Philadelphia electrician
Trade:
Electrical contractor
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: King of Prussia, PA [Philadelphia]
Posts: 332
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ya mean they actually used a box?
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10-13-2006, 05:43 PM
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#10
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Pro
Trade:
GC. Apprentice electrician
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Colorado Front Range
Posts: 2,529
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We found a buried panel in a school and had another where we never found the panel.
Saw some guys finish a basement, (bootleg), without any access to the mech room. The guys were paid and long gone by the time someone noticed.
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10-13-2006, 07:38 PM
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#11
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Member
Trade:
genaral contractor
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 42
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shunk
that patch looks like a code voilation to sheetrockers of america
I hope thats not the finished picture just a temp patch you at least add a receptical, there or a fake switch, or even painted it. would have looked better than that (Just Kidding)reminds me ... You Guys remember back years ago they had like a tin plate with picture painted on it ussually found inside the wall. blocking a chimney hole were the stove used to be .Im sure you have seen them in your remodels. ive seen them in demos All over northeast.  there worth big dollars on ebay !!!!
Last edited by d.janvrin; 10-13-2006 at 07:41 PM.
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10-13-2006, 08:19 PM
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#12
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DGR,IABD
Trade:
Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,665
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Quote:
Originally Posted by d.janvrin
shunk
that patch looks like a code voilation to sheetrockers of america
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Fear not, then. This interior partition wall is to have a 15 minute flash rating. That "patch" is 1 hour rated. I could have just as easily left the big hole and told them to get someone else to patch it. I decided, because I am a nice guy, to dress it up a little and buy them some time.
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10-14-2006, 07:06 AM
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#13
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NEC Consultant
Trade:
NEC Consultant & Instructor since 1969
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 74
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I don't want to deal with wannabee electricians
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdshunk
Was working on a job today... old house that was obviously re-wired by a DIY. A person bought it, and wanted me to "look it over" before they moved the furniture in. That naturally involves lots of time, taking every box apart and examining things. In this one bedroom, things just weren't adding up. I knew that there had to be a buried junction box someplace. Got the ol' wire tracing equipment out, and went for broke. With permission of the new owner, I excavated the drywall and found the buried treasure. Please don't bury junction boxes.... it's a code violation.
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DIY's,  the wonderful world of work by those who give us these treasures!
Please post this and the story at: www.joetedesco.org
The Electric Shop.
Coming from the field, and with the story and comments by those of you who find this type of work will be helpful.
I don't want to deal with wannabee electricians, and the unqualified.
Question: Is the NEC a technical document that should be on everyone's dashboard?
Last edited by JoeTedesco; 12-22-2006 at 08:30 AM.
Reason: No longer Moderator at JLC
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10-14-2006, 08:12 AM
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#14
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Electrical Contractor
Trade:
Electrical
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NY State
Posts: 1,952
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeTedesco
Question: Is the NEC a technical document that should be on everyone's dashboard?
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Yes and no.
In NY we need more. We are still under 1999 for all but one and two family and the NYSRBC for 1&2 Fam.
I can't wait until we sort this crap out and can be more in line with the rest of the country. I hate being two (&˝) code cycles back.
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11-12-2006, 04:30 PM
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#15
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Pro
Trade:
Painting
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Florence, Alabama
Posts: 2,001
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Quote:
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I knew that there had to be a buried junction box someplace.
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What told you this? Load demand on a circuit too great? Heh, different colored/type wire on the 30th receptical feeding the next 30?
Last edited by boman47k; 11-12-2006 at 04:33 PM.
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11-19-2006, 08:34 PM
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#16
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Keener Built Construction
Trade:
Construction Company Owner
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cupertino, CA
Posts: 86
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Yikes!
That is hideous! We have drywall patchers who come in behind me to make things look better than that.
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11-19-2006, 08:40 PM
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#17
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DGR,IABD
Trade:
Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,665
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brendakeen
That is hideous! We have drywall patchers who come in behind me to make things look better than that.
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When you do service work, there is no drywall patcher following you around. There is a world of difference between a construction electrician (such as you are getting into) and a service electrician. Totally different toolbox, so to speak.
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11-20-2006, 08:02 PM
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#18
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Keener Built Construction
Trade:
Construction Company Owner
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Cupertino, CA
Posts: 86
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I can see that..........
I tried a drywall patch once, you wouldn't want to see it, trust me!
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11-22-2006, 09:23 PM
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#19
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Union Electrician
Trade:
Inside Wireman
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Salt Lake City
Posts: 1,190
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So how did you fix it so that the old box(or where it used to be) could mudded over?
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11-22-2006, 09:29 PM
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#20
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DGR,IABD
Trade:
Electrical; Commercial and Residential Service
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Central PA
Posts: 9,665
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sparky Joe
So how did you fix it so that the old box(or where it used to be) could mudded over?
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I determined that I could refeed all the devices that this buried box went to from above in the attic, so that's what I did. The junction box was basically uncalled for and total laziness. I left that circular blank cover on the wall as my drywall "patch". I don't patch walls. I seldom need to ever make a hole in a wall or ceiling, and I would not have had to make this one if it were not for some jackleg burying a junction box.
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